Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) of Marine Seaweed (Macroalgae) for Producing Hydro-Char
Abstract
This work attempts to address environmental issues due to waste seaweed, by producing a coal-like solid hydro-char) and nutritious processed water, by employing a rather recent process called Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC). The HTC was carried out in a batch reactor system for three different reaction temperatures 180, 200, and 220 ℃ and three different reaction/residence time 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Each of the produced hydro-char was characterized by different analytical methods. The effects of the process conditions on the product distribution and the properties of the products were examined.
The hydro-char that is produced at the highest reaction conditions shows the highest carbon content and fuel properties like lignite. The hydro-char may be used as a fuel for direct combustion, in soil remediation or carbon sequestration application. The processed water that has nutrients leached from the seaweed during HTC was also tested for the potential biogas production from it.